Our Prime Minister goes overseas and proclaims that Singapore
has enough space for free speech. He cited the speaker's corner as
an example.
Our speaker's corner is a mockery because hardly anyone goes there
now. Too much hassle and only the birds of Hong Lim Square perch on
trees to listen to the occasional ramblings.
People who really have a view would rather write to the various
forum pages. More convenience and more audience. Millions read them
everyday, since newspapers reach out to roughly the same
number.
But...here's a big 'BUT'.
Though many desire to write, not all can write.
Civil servants can't write. Oh, they can but they have to seek
clearance for the articles they write. By the time clearance comes
or never comes, the topic would have become passe. A friend once
remarked that a public servant is subject to institutional ruling.
The period of clearance, no matter how long, and going by the
3-7-21 service standards, can take an average of 5 working days,
will not change because someone wants his article published.
If a written view, and one that is written out of a genuine heart,
has to be cleared, why tell us we are an open society? Having
caveats and curtailments suppress free speech and undermine its
truest ideals.
And if the authorities seek authentic views, people must be allowed
to express themselves through mediums that they are able to express
themselves most effectively in or on platforms that they would like
to be heard from, no hands bared. That means writing to the forum
page for some. Personally, I feel there is more than a subtle sense
of clarity in the written word.
And, don't civil servants pay taxes? They do, therefore, no one,
including their employers, has the right to suppress or silence
their voices.
If what is said is offensive or challenge OB markers, then good,
let it be taken up, debated upon and intellectually discussed. We
will genuinely have a cause for change and purpose for
action.
Silence and silencing kill a society's progress and people's sense
of belonging.
We should not pay lip service to free speech and democracy. The
archaic law of civil servants, who are Singaporeans too, having to
seek clearance to express their views should be reconsidered and at
an opportune time, be abolished.
In conclusion, many have realised that no one can be apolitical.
The civil service and those who are heading it should not delude
themselves any more.